Austin Mesick, the ocean seen as wilderness

The term “wilderness,” is very difficult to define. “Wilderness,” is commonly used loosely in conversation, or it is used to describe as a place exhibiting wildness, intactness, and remoteness. The aforementioned definitions are subject to one’s own interpretation. Despite its many subjective meanings, the word wilderness does not
defy definition. The WILD Foundation defines wilderness as: “The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet - those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with roads, pipelines or other industrial infrastructure.” A wilderness area is not necessarily a place that is biologically “pristine.” Very few places on earth are not in some way impacted by humans. The essence of a wilderness area is that it is a place where humans can maintain a relationship with wild nature. Whether that relationship is characterized by recreational use or traditional, indigenous use does not matter, so long as the relationship is predicated on a fundamental respect for - and appreciation of - wild nature. With the above definition in mind, the ocean fits perfectly into the frame of “wilderness.” The ocean is uncontrolled by humans at this current time and it seems impossible that it will ever be controlled. Saying this, humans have still affected the ocean in unnatural ways with oil spills and the pollution that is dumped everyday by careless people. However, the impact of humans on the ocean compared to the impact on forests and other wilderness areas is minor. Humans also have a relationship with the ocean whether it be recreational such a boating, scuba diving or fishing or a more spiritual relationship as experienced by surfers.